You would have to attend baseball's All-Star Game to see as many stars as the World Baseball Classic's 'Pool D' will have when first round action of the inaugural event begins March 7, and even the Midsummer Classic might have trouble matching this glittering roster of stars

Johan Santana, Freddy Garcia, Vladimir Guerrero, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Zambrano - the list of superstars goes on and on

While favorites Venezuela and the Dominican Republic will be furnishing most of the big names, upstarts Australia and Italy will also be trying to get past the first round by knocking off one of the two heavily-favored teams

The action begins on March 7 when the two heavyweights meet in the opening game - Venezuela vs the Dominican Republic

Ballpark info

The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is a state of the art facility that will give the games a balanced venue favoring neither the pitchers nor the hitters
At times in early spring high winds can impact fly balls, but as the weather is predicted to be warm it shouldn't be a factor for the tournament

Venezuela

Should be as strong as any in the event, with a Cy Young Award winner, a dozen Gold Gloves and no fewer than ten players who have made at least one All-Star team
Ace lefty Johan Santana heads an impressive pitching staff and the lineup is stocked with stars at every position, including catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Omar Vizquel, outfielder/third baseman Miguel Cabrera and outfielder Bobby Abreu
The rotation should be extremely deep and the bullpen equally impressive
This is a team with no real weaknesses and strength at every area

Dominican Republic

Considered by some to be the co-favorite with the United States to win the inaugural event and those predictions are well-founded
No team will have a more formidable lineup, as the Dominican entry can trot out Pujols, Ortiz, Tejada, Guerrero and Adrian Beltre, to name a few
The pitching will be strong, but not as strong as it would have been with Pedro Martinez
So much talent, however, can hide any potential areas of concern
In that regard the pitching does not appear to be quite as deep as Venezuela's

Italy

With roughly half of the 30-man roster expected to be comprised of current Major Leaguers, this team doesn't have the talent or the depth of the Dominican Republic or Venezuela
The talent gap on the pitching side appears to be especially wide, although so little is known of some of the Italian players it is hard to accurately gauge the difference
This team has a few weapons, but at best looks like a longshot to advance past the first round

Australia

Don't forget Australia took the Silver Medal in baseball during the 2004 Olympics, and some of the players who were involved in that effort will be seeking to prove their worth on the platform the inaugural World Baseball Classic provides
There is talent, but not nearly enough to match up to the Dominican Republic or Venezuela

Marquee matchup

Johan Santana, Venezuela v Albert Pujols, Dominican Republic
Arguably the best lefty starter on the planet against arguably the best right-handed slugger in the game
The 2004 American League Cy Young Award winner against the 2005 National League Most Valuable Player
It just doesn't get any better than this

Sleeper

On a team with sluggers like Tejada, Guerrero and Pujols it's easy for others to fly under the radar, but shortstop Rafael Furcal could be a key cog on the Dominican Republic's team
Not only will Furcal's defense be crucial, his ability to set the table for the sluggers in the lineup - or not - could impact the outcome of this series

Fearless Forecast

The Dominican Republic and Venezuela will advance
Too much talent on both teams for any other outcome

'Pool D' schedule

Disney's Wide World of Sports, Orlando, Florida
Tuesday March 7 - 1.00pm - Dominican Republic v Venezuela
Tuesday March 7 - 8.00pm - Australia v Italy
Wednesday March 8 - 7.00pm - Venezuela v Italy
Thursday March 9 - 1.00pm - Dominican Republic v Italy
Thursday March 9 - 8.00pm - Venezuela v Australia
Friday March 10 - 7.00pm - Dominican Republic v Australia